March 09' Super Chevy Yenko continuation review

[bkhpah]

A friend of mine just dropped off the latest issue of Super Chevy with a cover story on the "new" continuation Yenko Camaro's. Since when is a Chinese bodied Camaro a Yenko? You can have all the legal documents you want and call it a Yenko, but really, who are you kidding. The magazine quotes Jim Barber as saying " I have to admit, it gets to me seeing a modified Camaro with stripes being called a Yenko clone" funny that's EXACTLY what you are building. According to Barber, "What you have here is not a Yenko clone, but an honest-to-goodness brand new Yenko Camaro".

It also goes on to tell all of us uneducated readers how it stacks up against an original? Well if this "new" Yenko Camaro is a Yenko, then why ask? Confusing isn't it. Barber goes on to say "I had three gentleman, Larry Christiansen, Jerry MacNeish and Tom Clary of Yenko.net review the car, and there were only three things wrong."

Well I asked Tom about this, and he knows nothing about it. And since when is Jerry and Larry the official mouthpiece of the Yenko.net. Larry has not been to an sYc event in years, and Jerry has never been to an sYc event. That's just the facts. So speaking on behalf of the sYc and giving this car credence is only their opinions, if in fact that even happened. Sort of like me giving a shout out to the CRG site with my one total post...BKH http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bs.gif

[owners2]

Well put , I fully agree.

[68l30]

[ QUOTE ]
Barber goes on to say "I had three gentleman, Larry Christiansen, Jerry MacNeish and Tom Clary of Yenko.net review the car, and there were only three things wrong."



[/ QUOTE ]


LOL..Three things wrong.......

1. Chevrolet didn't build it

2. Don Yenko had absolutly nothing to do with it

3. It ain't a Yenko

Nice...... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bs.gif


Steve

[m22mike]

Brian..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Mike

[Mr. Chevy]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Rich

[RamAirDave]

I remember that discussion:

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=120439

[Steve Shauger]

Super Chevy at one time was a premier chevy magazine, but it has turned into a real rag. Last I subscribed to the magazine was mid eighties. The last couple of times I pick it up at the news stand left me very disappointed and frustrated at the lack of accuracy and content. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif This is just more of the same. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[1969grb]

Brian, I read the article also. I agree with you, what are they thinking? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

Grady http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[Alss]

Its like a copying a Monet or Picasso and comparing it to the real thing..not even close!!..just read the article..nice clone!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

[Salvatore]

I am with you Steve. I don't go to the events anymore and hardly ever glance through a copy at the grocery store! I have NO interest in that mag. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

[Jerry@CHP]

Brian,

I can't speak for Larry Christensen or Tom Clary but I can speak for myself. I don't subscribe to Super Chevy Magazine and haven't for years so I have not read the article. I spoke with J. Barber at SEMA in Nov 2007 when they debuted one of these new Yenko replicas at the show.

For the record, he never really asked me about what was technically correct on the car and what wasn't. Only that they were going to market this car and wanted my input. There are plenty of issues that need to be addressed with these cars and I told him that. Overall, they are eye catching but I have no control what they're agenda is with these cars, and I have no control over what magazines write about them.

I did not reference the Yenko site, CRG, NHRA or the American Camaro Association during my conversations with Mr. Barber.......nor am I a mouthpiece for Yenko.net. If you have issues with this project, then you have the right to contact him directly via e-mail or phone. As a hobbyist, restorer, master judge and NHRA sportsman racer for almost 40 years, I do have the right to speak about these cars and make suggestions when I'm asked. All of what I do at these venues is through my company, Camaro Hi-Performamance.

Jerry

[ORIGLS6]

Super Chevy turned me sour in 1988 at Indy. Long story I won't go into at this point but I haven't been to one of their events or even subscribed to the magazine in well over a decade. I have purchased a few issues in past years,..... if there's some kind of misinforming article about VetteFest or a SCR. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

I had hopes it might turn around a bit when Doug Marion started writing for them again but those hopes faded quickly. The magazine was always filled with advertising with a few feature cars thrown in to keep you coming back.

This comes as no surprise. IMO, at best, these cars are nice boulevard cruisers with some neat nostalgia striping. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

Maybe I'll pick up this issue and write them a note expressing my opinion on the article, and their magazine in general. Or maybe not even buy a copy! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

Oh; one final thought! Big Steve nailed the "Three Things Wrong"! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Kim_Howie]

I cancelled my sub with Super Chevy years ago. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bs.gif

[SOM2001SS]

I enjoy Super Chevy Shows and still subscribe to the mag after 15 years, but I have never read it for facts or technical accuracy.
I agree with everyone else; that is NO YENKO!!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

[TOM K]

Steve is 100% right!
1. Chevrolet didn"t build it.
2. Don Yenko had absolutly nothing to do with it.
3. It ain"t a Yenko.
Tom K.

[camarojoe]

When you're trying to market a Taiwan-bodied clone for 139 grand I guess you'll say or do whatever you have to in order to make it sound like something special. There's a clone in our classifieds right now that's every bit as nice as this "continuation car" for a little more than 1/3 the price... and it's at least a real Chevrolet built Camaro.

Link (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/356882/page/0/fpart/1/vc/1)

[bkhpah]

What suggestions did you give Mr.Barber for his new Yenko Jerry?..BKH

[Jerry@CHP]

I told him that the more technically correct they built the car, the better the appeal would be for sales and promotion. The car that I saw had the 1970 repro Firestone tires on it. I told him they have to go, along with the flat window fuzzies, etc, etc.

Jerry

[ORIGLS6]

I think I'd like to hear Brian's suggestions! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Jerry@CHP]

I would then suggest calling J. Barber,

Jerry

[x Baldwin Motion]

100% right!
1. Chevrolet didn't build it.
2. Don Yenko had absolutly nothing to do with it.
3. It isn't a Yenko.

So this is another one of those 4NJNK DYNACORN re-bodies ?
What is the attraction?

as far as the media (super chevy) not getting all the facts in print......... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/stupid.gif

[bkhpah]

I would never comment on such a car. Why bother? I think you know where I stand on this Yenko Ginsu Camaro...BKH http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]
I think you know where I stand on this Yenko Ginsu Camaro...BKH http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm guessing we stand together. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[m22mike]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I think you know where I stand on this Yenko Ginsu Camaro...BKH http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm guessing we stand together. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto that http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[Andy]

Anyone have a scanned copy of this article? It seems like I got a super chevy not that long ago in the mail but I don't remember seeing it in the mag. Is the same orange car featured in it as the old article a year or so ago?

[shor]

[ QUOTE ]
Anyone have a scanned copy of this article?

[/ QUOTE ]

If so, please do not post it here. That car does not deserve that kind of exposure on our site.

[farone]

DYNACORN + YENKO = http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bs.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bs.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bs.gif.... THOSE TWO WORDS SHOULDN'T BE IN THE SAME SENTENCE.....

[lzdick]

I recall seeing the Dyna(crap)corn display several years ago when they put the first one together to promote the project. Unimpressive, as nothing fit. A very poor promotion of a new product. I'd be very surprised if these 'continuation' cars didn't have sheet metal 'fit' issues as well. Brian, you are dead on...this is simply a pricey, Ginsu-clone for about triple the $$$ of a GM built Camaro-Yenko clone.

[sYc]

I saw this car at the 2007 SEMA show. Once I read the car’s signage, seeing that is was not one of the original 198, I simply gave it a casual look, except to take a good look at the trim and VIN tags.

While at the show I did spend time visiting with Mr. Barber about this car, the sYc and the Yenko family. During our conversation, he did make mention of a few items that he felt needed to be corrected, but at no time did I give my opinion or thoughts on the build of the car.

Since that time MR. Barber and one of his employees, MS. Washam, have been in contact with me regarding these cars, 1. inquiring about the possibility of their cars being registered with the sYc, (which has not been agreed to) 2. asking if I would pass his information along to the Yenko family, which I have done.

Once Brian informed me of the Super Chevy article, I contacted CARS, speaking directly with MS. Washam, telling her how disappointed I was in what MR Barber was quoted as saying in the article. Her defense was 1. I had said those things, which I did not 2. That the article was written over a year ago, which may be true, but they were well aware that the article was about to appear in SC, as this was taken from their web site “Look for the article on our 1969 Yenko Camaro Continuation in the March issue of Super Chevy magazine, due on stands in mid January”.

Hopefully MR. Barber will come on here and defend his actions to the group, or at least contact me to try and clear this matter up.


Unfortunately this is not the first time a casual conversation between myself and another party has turned into an endorsement, nor is it the first time someone has taken liberties with the sYc name in regards to a car(s). On more then one occasion a clone/tribute car has been offered for sale, with the only documentation being “..here is the car pictured at the Super Car Reunion..”, implying that the car is legit. That is why I view clone/tribute cars the way I do.

[x Baldwin Motion]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Did these persons pay someone for the right to use the "Yenko" logos and Don Yenko's name? This just dosen't seem right? Is it open season on abusing the reputations of legends in automotive performance? The auto hobby is now seeing the Bernie Madoff of car cloning. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bs.gif

Whoever buys one of these things deserves all the snickering they get. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

[x Baldwin Motion]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif

Anyone own the rights to the Yenko name and it's use? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[BonzoHansen]

So if I read this + the thread on team camaro correctly, the decision about the charity aspect was well after the decision to build + buy?

[sYc]

[ QUOTE ]
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif

Anyone own the rights to the Yenko name and it's use? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[/ QUOTE ]


Yes and no. The crest is trademarked, as is the name Yenko name for some uses. And not by either the Yenko family or the sYc.

For more info on this mark, and others, such as the Gibb mark, info here.

trademark search (http://www.uspto.gov/#)


For whatever it is worth, whe we looking to form the sYc we contacted the Yenko estate about our plans for the club, and SCR. We were given wriiten permission to use the Yenko name, and as far as I know, we are still the only enity to ask for, and/or recieve such a letter.